Design Review Board

Level 1: Minor alteration of an existing building/structure

10-A-19-DT

Applicant Request

Replacement of the existing revolving door that faces Market Street with a single metal door with sidelites. The door will have a full lite glass panel and sidelites that closely matches the original doors on the building. The door will be located in the opening that is adjacent to the sidewalk, not recessed like the doorway to the right (north).

Install new emergency LED light on the north elevation of the building.

Site Info

The General Building is listed on the National Registor of Historic Places, so the Historic Resources section of the guidelines are applicable. The proposed door and sidelights are consistent in design with the original doors as documented by historic photographs and original construction drawings for the building. The main difference is the doorway original had double doors that were not as wide, however, the current building code requires a wider door for egress and two doors will not fit within the opening so the applicant is proposing a single door with sidelites.

The applicant has proposed awnings over the second story windows and a neon illuminated sign at the Market Street and Church Avenue corner of the building, however, the required information was not provided for staff or the board to review these elements. If the applicant chooses to move forward with these items, a new application must be submitted or this application must be postponed until the necessary information is provided.

Applicable guidelines:

Section 1.C.3. (ENTRANCES)
Formal entrances to front facades should be retained. This includes entrances that are located above street level and accessed by exterior stairs. Altering or removing the main entrance to grant street-level access is not appropriate.
GUIDELINES:
3a. Establish recessed entries, either rectangular or with slightly canted sides, which are appropriate in storefronts.
3b. Allow for multiple entries on the first floor of the building, giving access to commercial space that may be divided into bays.
3c. Provide access to upper stories through additional entries.
3d. Maintain original height and materials for doors that are consistent with the use of the building, such as residential, commercial, or banking purposes.

Section 1.C.7. (RECOMMENDED SIGNS)
Commercial establishments need to advertise. However, advertising signs should be effective and appropriate to historic areas without contributing to visual clutter. Primary concerns are a sign's location, size, material, and illumination.
GUIDELINES:
7a. Locate signs above storefront windows, below second-story windows on the sign board, or on the storefront windows themselves (30% is maximum coverage), or off the front of the building as a projecting sign (maximum size: 9 square feet).
7b. Create signs that are proportional to the building where they are located.
7c. Do not light signs internally.

Section 1.C.8. (AWNINGS)
Awnings are allowed on historic buildings when they are appropriate to the building and are designed with traditional shapes, forms, and materials. If awnings are used, their overall size, shape, and projection from the building must be in proper proportion and scale to the building and contained within the window or door they shelter, and not cover adjacent wall surfaces. Canvas is usually the appropriate material for awnings.
GUIDELINES:
8a. Allow awnings in traditional shapes and materials.